ITS and Tessella partnership wins Sellafield contract

Sellafield Ltd awards framework agreement for replacement and upgrades of existing control and IT systems to ITS and Tessella

Industrial Technology Systems Ltd (ITS), the real-time IT, database and process control systems integrator with extensive experience in the nuclear sector and Tessella, the information technology and consulting services company selected by R&D, science and engineering leaders for business-critical assignments, have been selected for a major framework agreement with Sellafield Ltd, for the provision of replacements of and upgrades to existing control and IT systems at their Cumbria site.

Sellafield Ltd introduced the framework agreement to reduce the project and procurement time it takes to award control system contracts. The aim of Sellafield Ltd is to standardise the pricing, documentation, execution and ongoing support approach for the diverse range of projects through this collaborative working agreement between Sellafield Ltd and its suppliers.

To successfully qualify for the framework agreement, ITS and Tessella completed a significant invitation to tender process. Part of the submission was a proposal for the upgrade of the first control system planned for replacement. This aspect had a major part in determining which companies would become part of the framework agreement, with the technical and commercial aspects of this being reviewed and taken into account in the overall decision making process. ITS and Tessella also had to supply comprehensive supportive literature, to demonstrate strengths in the following key areas:

• Evidence of a proven track record of delivering control systems in regulated environments 
• Management and provision of suitably qualified experienced personnel  
• Evidence of innovative solutions and working relationships with other customers 
• Capability to undertake the first control system upgrade project
• Evidence of systematic and transparent cost charging processes
• QA processes
• Environmental, health and safety management record
• Socio economics
• Compliance with Sellafield Ltd code of ethics

Both ITS and Tessella specialise in the design and integration of real-time IT, database and control systems and a range of services including maintenance and 24-7 call out support, for highly demanding, regulated sectors including, pharmaceutical, medical device, nuclear and chemical. ITS also supplies robust non-contact vision inspection systems, fuel tracking solutions and legacy system support services to these industries.

ITS’ agreement with Tessella brings together the strengths of the two teams to form a large and varied skill base. The consortium, as well as having complementary skill sets, also has an overlap in control systems expertise which adds value as there is a common understanding already existing for the main functionality of projects to be completed under the framework agreement.  With a track record of over 95 projects delivered in the nuclear sector, ITS offers a wealth of industry experience to complement the skill set. 

The companies’ vendor independence allows the consortium to offer the most cost effective solutions that are best for each client, whether a commercial off the shelf product or a bespoke solution. More than 80% of ITS and Tessella order book is repeat business from satisfied clients who have experienced their ability to consistently deliver.

The ITS and Tessella consortium has partnered with Thales Information Systems to offer extensive innovative experience in obsolescence strategies to Sellafield. Thales has developed its own methodology for addressing systems obsolescence within large and complex regulated industries. Tessella and Thales have worked closely together on previous projects and continue to do so in various sectors. This existing working relationship is an important factor in the overall ITS, Tessella and Thales team.

Commenting on the framework Malcolm Knott, Managing Director of ITS, explains, “We see the opportunity to work on projects in this manner with Sellafield Ltd as a massive opportunity to develop and widen our relationship with people onsite.  We have agreements like this with a number of other customers and each brings with it fresh challenges, but ultimately make us as a better company.  We learn as a supplier and as a partner. Frameworks like this do work and we’ve been keen to strike up this type of relationship since we started, and that’s why we really wanted to be selected by Sellafield Ltd.  The buzz it gave everyone when we announced to the staff that we’d been successful was amazing; colleagues have been making all sorts of suggestions to get more involved with Sellafield, knowing that there is a very good reason to go the extra mile.”

Peter Roberts, Business Development Manager at Tessella added, “Securing this Framework is another milestone in Tessella's continued growth within the civil nuclear sector. Sellafield Ltd is an important client for the company and one with which we aim to develop a long-term relationship in several areas related to software and information technology. It is also a significant project for Tessella as we develop our successful collaboration with ITS in the field of control systems”.

ITS and Tessella believe that the consortium will provide the strength in depth required for any control and IT system project to be completed successfully under the framework agreement. Both companies have endeavoured to build teams that have all the capability and experience Sellafield Ltd needs and their combined strength is formidable.  Through its experience across many sectors the consortium can provide the innovation required to address the obsolescence challenges, and each partner brings a unique, complementary and significant value to the team.

And this framework is proving to be the beginning of a fruitful relationship, with all the companies involved already identifying other customers where this consortia approach will add value.

About Industrial Technology Systems Ltd

Established in 1991, Industrial Technology Systems Ltd (ITS) is an independent systems integrator, specialising in the design and implementation of automation, control, IT and management information systems. ITS has a proven track record in supplying innovative, engineering solutions  that provide real business value to customers in highly regulated industries including AstraZeneca, Becton Dickinson, INS Innovation, Magnox North, Piramal Healthcare and Sellafield Ltd. 

ITS has been working in the nuclear industry for over 13 years and has successfully completed over 95 projects in the sector, from feasibility studies and legacy system replacements through to the design and delivery of large SCADA and PLC systems, fuel tracking systems and maintenance contracts.

ITS has strong partnership agreements with many major systems manufacturers including Rockwell, Wonderware, Siemens, AspenTech, Matrikon, Oracle, Microsoft, Cognex and Honeywell. This flexibility allows ITS to offer the most innovative and appropriate solutions to meet each customer’s requirement.

About Tessella

For decades, Tessella has been successfully delivering IT and consulting services to world leaders in R&D, science and engineering. We enable our clients in life sciences, energy, the public sector, and consumer industries to achieve a wide range of objectives, including, forecasting floods, developing fusion power, enhancing military sensor capability, improving drug discovery and development efficiency, and reducing risk to health and the environment in the extraction and production of oil and gas. With offices in Europe and North America, global companies rely on Tessella for business critical assignments.